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Lu J, He R, Liu Y, Zhang J, Xu H, Zhang T, Chen L, Yang G, Zhang J, Liu J, Chi H. Exploiting cell death and tumor immunity in cancer therapy: challenges and future directions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1416115. [PMID: 38887519 PMCID: PMC11180757 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1416115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant global challenge, with escalating incidence rates and a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Herein, we present an in-depth exploration of the intricate interplay between cancer cell death pathways and tumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment (TME). We begin by elucidating the epidemiological landscape of cancer, highlighting its pervasive impact on premature mortality and the pronounced burden in regions such as Asia and Africa. Our analysis centers on the pivotal concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD), whereby cancer cells succumbing to specific stimuli undergo a transformation that elicits robust anti-tumor immune responses. We scrutinize the mechanisms underpinning ICD induction, emphasizing the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) as key triggers for dendritic cell (DC) activation and subsequent T cell priming. Moreover, we explore the contributions of non-apoptotic RCD pathways, including necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, to tumor immunity within the TME. Emerging evidence suggests that these alternative cell death modalities possess immunogenic properties and can synergize with conventional treatments to bolster anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting the TME for cancer treatment, highlighting strategies to harness immunogenic cell death and manipulate non-apoptotic cell death pathways for therapeutic benefit. By elucidating the intricate crosstalk between cancer cell death and immune modulation within the TME, this review aims to pave the way for the development of novel cancer therapies that exploit the interplay between cell death mechanisms and tumor immunity and overcome Challenges in the Development and implementation of Novel Therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaan Lu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ru He
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jinghan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Heng Xu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tianchi Zhang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of General Surgery, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of General Surgery, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Huang F, Jin L, Zhang X, Wang M, Zhou C. Integrated pan-cancer analysis reveals the immunological and prognostic potential of RBFOX2 in human tumors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1302134. [PMID: 38881877 PMCID: PMC11176534 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1302134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The role of RNA-binding fox one homolog 2 (RBFOX2) in the progression of multiple tumors is increasingly supported by evidence. However, the unclearness pertaining to the expression of RBFOX2, its prognostic potential, and its correlation with the tumor microenvironment (TME) in pan-cancer persists. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the immunological prognostic value of RBFOX2. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas Gene Expression Omnibus Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), TIMER2.0, Kaplan-Meier (K-M) Plotter, University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), cbioportal, and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) were utilized for a systematic analysis of RBFOX2. This analysis included studying its expression, prognostic value, DNA methylation, enrichment analysis, immune infiltration cells, and immune-related genes. Additionally, qRT-PCR, CCK-8, colony formation, transwell assays, and immunohistochemistry were employed to analyze the expression and biological function of RBFOX2 in liver cancer. Results Variations in RBFOX2 expression have been observed across diverse tumors and have been identified as indicators of unfavorable prognosis. It is closely linked to immune infiltration cells, immune checkpoints, chemokines, and chemokine receptors in the TME. Higher levels of RBFOX2 have been significantly associated with low response and poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma who receive immunotherapy. Furthermore, the DNA methylation of RBFOX2 varies across different types of cancer and has shown better prognosis in patients with BLCA, BRCA, CESC, COAD, DLBC, HNSC, LAML, LGG, LUAD, PAAD, SKCM and THYM. Interestingly, RBFOX2 expression was found to be lower in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients' tumor tissues compared to their paired adjacent tissues. In vitro studies have shown that knockdown of RBFOX2 significantly promotes the growth and metastasis of liver cancer cells. Conclusion This study investigates the correlation between DNA methylation, prognostic value, and immune cell infiltration with the expression of RBFOX2 in pan-cancer and indicates its potential role to inhibit metastasis of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxian Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Long Jin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Science and Education, Xi'an Children's Hospital Affiliated of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Congya Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
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Wang H, Jiao D, Feng D, Liu Q, Huang Y, Hou J, Ding D, Zhang W. Transformable Supramolecular Self-Assembled Peptides for Cascade Self-Enhanced Ferroptosis Primed Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311733. [PMID: 38339920 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has received widespread attention for its effective and long-term tumor-eliminating ability. However, for immunogenic "cold" tumors, such as prostate cancer (PCa), the low immunogenicity of the tumor itself is a serious obstacle to efficacy. Here, this work reports a strategy to enhance PCa immunogenicity by triggering cascade self-enhanced ferroptosis in tumor cells, turning the tumor from "cold" to "hot". This work develops a transformable self-assembled peptide TEP-FFG-CRApY with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) responsiveness and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein targeting. TEP-FFG-CRApY self-assembles into nanoparticles under aqueous conditions and transforms into nanofibers in response to ALP during endosome/lysosome uptake into tumor cells, promoting lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). On the one hand, the released TEP-FFG-CRAY nanofibers target GPX4 and selectively degrade the GPX4 protein under the light irradiation, inducing ferroptosis; on the other hand, the large amount of leaked Fe2+ further cascade to amplify the ferroptosis through the Fenton reaction. TEP-FFG-CRApY-induced immunogenic ferroptosis improves tumor cell immunogenicity by promoting the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and increasing intratumor T-cell infiltration. More importantly, recovered T cells further enhance ferroptosis by secreting large amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This work provides a novel strategy for the molecular design of synergistic molecularly targeted therapy for immunogenic "cold" tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Di Jiao
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dexiang Feng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jianquan Hou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
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Tan YJ, Jin Y, Zhou J, Yang YF. Lipid droplets in pathogen infection and host immunity. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:449-464. [PMID: 37993536 PMCID: PMC10834987 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01189-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As the hub of cellular lipid metabolism, lipid droplets (LDs) have been linked to a variety of biological processes. During pathogen infection, the biogenesis, composition, and functions of LDs are tightly regulated. The accumulation of LDs has been described as a hallmark of pathogen infection and is thought to be driven by pathogens for their own benefit. Recent studies have revealed that LDs and their subsequent lipid mediators contribute to effective immunological responses to pathogen infection by promoting host stress tolerance and reducing toxicity. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the intricate roles of LDs in governing the replication and assembly of a wide spectrum of pathogens within host cells. We also discuss the regulatory function of LDs in host immunity and highlight the potential for targeting LDs for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jie Tan
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Yi Jin
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Yun-Fan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
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Liu J, Chen T, Liu X, Li Z, Zhang Y. Engineering materials for pyroptosis induction in cancer treatment. Bioact Mater 2024; 33:30-45. [PMID: 38024228 PMCID: PMC10654002 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This research paper aims to investigate the role of pyroptosis induction in cancer treatment. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the formation of plasma membrane pores, has gained significant attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of pyroptosis and its role in cancer treatment. The paper discusses the concept of pyroptosis and its relationship with other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. It explores the role of pyroptosis in immune activation and its potential for combination therapy. The study also reviews the use of natural, biological, chemical, and multifunctional composite materials for pyroptosis induction in cancer cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis induction by these materials are discussed, along with their advantages and challenges in cancer treatment. The findings of this study highlight the potential of pyroptosis induction as a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment and provide insights into the different materials and mechanisms involved in pyroptosis induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Taili Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - XianLing Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, Guilin Hospital of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Guilin, China
| | - ZhiHong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
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Yu D, Wang Q, Zhang Q, Cai M, Liu S, Zhang W. Molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its antitumor applications in natural products. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1337-1347. [PMID: 37408372 PMCID: PMC10520475 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, results in lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane, which is catalyzed by iron ions and accumulated to lethal levels. It is mechanistically distinct from other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, so it may address the problem of cancer resistance to apoptosis and provide new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, which has been intensively studied over the past few years. Notably, considerable advances have been made in the antitumor research of natural products due to their multitargets and few side effects. According to research, natural products can also induce ferroptosis in cancer therapies. In this review we summarize the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, introduce the key regulatory genes of ferroptosis, and discuss the progress of natural product research in the field of ferroptosis to provide theoretical guidance for research on natural product-induced ferroptosis in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianping Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Qun Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Minchen Cai
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Sanhong Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical BiologyInstitute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
- Department of PhytochemistrySchool of PharmacySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
- The Research Center for Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and BiosecurityShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai201203China
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